A judge in Chicago has sentenced William Cellini to a year and a day in prison. A federal jury convicted Cellini in November of conspiring to shake down the Oscar-winning producer of "Million Dollar Baby" for a contribution to imprisoned former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's campaign.
Prosecutors previously filed a sentencing memorandum in Cellini's case arguing for a "meaningful" prison sentence and contends giving him probation would "send exactly the wrong signal."
The 77-year-old Cellini earlier this year suffered a blood clot, just weeks after he had a heart attack.
Support for Cellini
Judge James Zagel said more than 360 letters sent on Cellini's behalf before sentencing was largest number he had ever seen. Zagel also ordered a 2-year term of supervised release. Cellini has been ordered to report to prison on Jan. 4, 2013
Previous Related Articles
WBEZ: "The Most Influential Illinoisan You Don't Know: Bill Cellini" 10/3/11
Chicago Tribune: "Six Degrees of Bill Cellini" 10/5/11
CBS Chicago: "Painting of Cellini and Lincoln to Stay at Springfield Museum" 11/2/11
State Journal-Register: "Bill Cellini Treated for Blood Clot" 6/26/12
WICS: "Cellini: From Powerful to Powerless" 10/4/12
Sun-Times: "Cellini Sentence Another Step Forward for Honest Government" 10/4/12
U.S. Department of Justice: Summary of Selected Matters: Public Corruption
